A determined Cheick Tiote has revealed he is ready to rectify Newcastle's poor showing last season, insisting the only way is up for the Toon.

The combative midfielder was one of a number of Newcastle's stars that suffered from poor form last season as the club only narrowly avoided relegation on the final day.

Having also seen his future with the club questioned, Tiote reaffirmed his desire to stay on Tyneside and help Newcastle back up to the top half of the league.

Speaking to the club's official website, Tiote admitted to the difficulties the club faced last year as well as revealing a repeat performance is unthinkable.

"Last season was not the best for Newcastle," he told nufc.co.uk. "It was a hard season in the Europa League and the Premier League but we've had some time off to rest now.

"It was really difficult for all the team but when you see the season, the most important thing was just to stay in the Premer League. That's what we did and now we need to prepare and be ready for the next season. When we look at last season, we cannot imagine to have the same season as this next year so I think it will be better."

Meanwhile, the club have informed midfield pair Mehdi Abeid and Romain Amalfitano they are free to leave St James' Park this summer, according to the Journal.

Abeid, 20, joined the Magpies in 2011 from RC Lens and was loaned out in January to Scottish Premier League side St. Johnstone. Playing a dozen games for the club, he capped off an impressive run of form by winning the We Are Perth Online Forum Young Player of the Year award.

The Journal claims the moves are an attempt by Alan Pardew to free up space in his squad after being informed he would have to move players on in order to accommodate fresh faces.

With Amalfitano said to be interesting Ligue 1 side Nice, the player is expected to make a swift return to France after a disappointing season with the club following his free transfer from Stade de Reims last summer.

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